Tybee Island is moving forward with a plan to make the southern end of Butler Avenue more inviting to visitors and business owners.

Work is expected to begin this week after the city recently received approval from the Department of Transportation to proceed. Planned improvements include wider sidewalks with brick pavers and palm trees along the two block stretch between 14th and Tybrisa streets. The contractor is planning to complete the project by the end of February before the tourist season begins.

City officials want to replicate the landscaping and pedestrian improvements that were made to Tybrisa and Strand Avenue, the island’s commercial drag.

City Manager Diane Schleicher said the improvements will provide continuity with Tybrisa and should have a traffic-calming effect.

“It also gives an identity to that area and helps with the community aspect,” Schleicher said.

In addition, the removal of the false driveways and curb cuts along the stretch will make for a more level grade for pedestrians. No parking will be lost, Schleicher said.

AD Williams Construction was awarded the $140,000 construction contract in November after submitting the lowest bid for the project.

The project has gone through multiple revisions since city officials unveiled it in 2010. A palm-tree-lined median was originally part of the plan, but the idea was criticized by some residents and business owners as dangerous and unnecessary.

The median was ultimately scrapped by the city council in October 2011 after the bid proposals were either too high or lacked required paperwork.

The city spent about $48,000 developing the median plan before it was dropped, although some of that work, such as the environmental studies, can be used for the revised concept, Schleicher said.

A majority of the construction cost, plus about $13,000 for engineering, will be paid for using a $125,000 state transportation enhancement grant, while 1-percent sales tax revenue is expected to cover the rest.

In order to give residents and business owners a chance to meet with the contractor, the city is hosting a meeting at city hall Wednesday morning.

Infobox: IF YOU GO

What: Butler Avenue improvement project review meeting. The contractor will be available to address any concerns with the public.